Crack sales near Massillon schools lead to three arrests

City police concluded two separate investigations of crack cocaine sales Thursday when they arrested three people near two schools.

City police concluded two separate investigations of crack cocaine sales Thursday when they arrested three people near two schools.

Police arrested Tiki T. Green, 31, of 1585 Gibson Ave. SE and Joseph I. Peterson, 24, of 4548 Second St. NW, both of Canton, in the parking lot of Home Depot in the 2400 block of Lincoln Way E at 5:22 p.m. following a three-month investigation, according to detective Thomas Solinger.

Green, charged with cocaine trafficking, sold an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine. Peterson was charged with complicity because he drove Green to the location. The area is within 1,000 feet of Oak Park Preschool.

“There was a lot of drug dealing that took place at that residence, which is near St. Mary’s (School)” said Solinger, noting that the arrest came after a two-month investigation.

Solinger said the busts went smoothly and that police were able to obtain warrants from Massillon Municipal Court quickly. All three suspects were booked in Stark County Jail and then arraigned Friday morning.